Consumer Groups Want Lead Out Of Lipstick

Valentine's Day brought new attention to an old issue. Is the amount of lead found in lipstick a health hazard?

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a consortium of consumer and environmental groups, thinks so. They've argued that there's no safe level for lead in lipsticks — especially for pregnant women and kids — and want the agency to do something to bring the amount of the metal down.

"Lipstick, as a product intended for topical use with limited absorption, is ingested only in very small quantities. We do not consider the lead levels we found in the lipsticks to be a safety concern."

The CSC questioned that assessement, asking the FDA how it came to that conclusion.

While the agency said the results don't rise to the level of concern for public safety, it is considering the necessity for "an upper limit for lead in lipstick in order to further protect the health and welfare of consumers."

If you're worried about lead in the meantime, you can pick lipsticks with less of it.